» STAY SAFE! Jewish Observer A publication of the Jewish Federation of Central New York of Central New York PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID, SYRACUSE, NY & ADDITIONAL OFFICES SYRACUSE, ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD | WWW.JEWISHFEDERATIONCNY.ORG MAY 2020 | IYAR-SIVAN 5780 CELEBRATING Mothers, Jewish Heritage, SHDS at 60 and Shavuot DON’T MISS: LOOK: INSIDE: MAKING GETTING THROUGH HONORING JEWS MUSIC COVID-19 BY CHOICE (4) (6-7) (15) Jewish Observer May 2020 of Central New York Published by Jewish Federation of Central New York From the Acting Editor Reflections 5655 Thompson Road by Richard D. Wilkins DeWitt, NY 13214 The video of a dog being walked by a drone down an empty “The Torah that Moses commanded us is the heritage phone: 315-445-2040 x116 street in Italy is an image that will of the Congregation of Israel” (Deut. 33:4) fax: 315- 445-1599 stay with me forever as a symbol Though commemorating the most momentous event in human jewishfederationcny.org of so much that characterizes the history, Shavuot has become the least celebrated of Jewish holidays. age of the novel coronavirus. Even Bereft of any special symbols, it is observed for but one day, two in as we isolate ourselves within our the Diaspora. Though the Exodus’s culmination, falling seven weeks homes, even as we use technol- thereafter, it is overshadowed by Passover. Its entire focus on Torah ogy in the most unexpected and is reflected in a number of traditional practices. A rabbinic legend President/CEO ...................................................................................................... extraordinary ways, even as we that the Israelites slept late that morning led to a special reparative Michael Balanoff Board Chair...............................................................................................................Ellen Weinstein Barbara Davis mourn the deaths that mount up text, Tikkun Leil Shavuot, intended for all-night study, containing ex- Acting Editor ................................................................................................................Barbara Davis and the bravery of those who are cerpts from all fifty-four weekly Torah readings, with selections from fighting the pandemic on so many fronts – life goes on. Dogs need Prophets and Midrash. Despite the unraveling of beliefs and practices, to be walked; children need to be fed and taught and loved; we over the last two centuries, Torah, however conceived, remains central need to reach out to our friends and neighbors; we must help those in Jewish thought. Over millennia, commentators have subjected its who need food and connection and financial support. Despite all the chapters, verses, words, even textual anomalies, to the most exhaus- bad, much good has also come from this modern plague. We use 3D tive examination, producing an enormous literature. The Jewish Federation of Central New York is a proud printers to make masks; we can order things online; students are On the first day of Shavuot, after the first Torah verse, Akdamus, a member of the Jewish Federations of North America. taught virtually; we stream programs on our computers; we Zoom 90-line poem in tongue-twisting Aramaic, is recited by reader and one another for business, for fun, for religious services, for celebra- congregation. On the second day, a comparable 15-line Aramaic Produced by tions. Even as life is completely disrupted, it goes on. poem, Yitziv Pisgam, is inserted after the first line of the haftarah. The Jewish Observer is cognizant of both the disruption and the Those poems, and both days’ haftarot, are replete with mystical al- continuity of Jewish life in Central New York. We celebrate Jewish lusions. The first (Ezekiel 1:1-28,3:1), known as Ma’aseh HaMerkavah American Heritage Month with a shoutout to the Judaic Heritage (Work of the Chariot), presents an extraordinary vision of Heavenly Center and a book review of Jewish life in the Catskills. We celebrate Hosts. A contrasting reading is the idyllic Book of Ruth. Shavuot is Publisher/Chief Revenue Officer .......................................................................................Barbara E. Macks the Syracuse Hebrew Day School’s 60th anniversary – although no also called Yom HaBikkurim, initiating the season for bringing First [email protected] one ever thought they would be teaching their students remotely in Fruits to the Temple. Setting the standard for future converts, Ruth Creative Director .......................................................................................................................................J.P. Thimot [email protected] this milestone year. Mother’s Day occurs in May, so we are honoring the Moabitess, great-grandmother of David, accepts the Torah: “Your Vice President/Production & Sales .......................................................................................Jennifer Tudor Jewish mothers in this month’s JO. We also celebrate the holiday of people are my people and your God is my God” (Ruth 1:16). [email protected] Shavuot and read from one of the two biblical narratives titled after “Honor thy father and mother,” the Decalogue’s fifth command- Lead Designer ..................................................................................................................................Kimberly Miers women. Megillat Ruth is named for its younger protagonist, but it is ment, bridges the first and second tablets: the first, duties owed God, [email protected] the older Naomi who is the dominant figure. A caring and altruistic the second, prohibitions towards others. Due to a mother’s profound Senior Graphic Designers ..........................................................................Josh Flanigan, Andrea Rowley mother-in-law, Naomi is also, in the words of biblical scholar Phyllis religious influence on the child, Jewish descent traditionally has been Graphic Designers ..................................................................................Kristen Thomas, Nicholas Vitello Trible, “a profound figure of faith who experiences God as enemy but through the mother. It is she who prepares the home for Sabbath Production Manager .................................................................................................Adam Van Schoonhoven then wrestles blessing from adversity.” Shavuot is a holiday that hon- and holidays and is more attuned to Judaism’s emotional elements. Sales Director ....................................................................................................................Cynthia Oppenheimer ors Jews by choice, echoing Ruth’s words to Naomi, “Your people shall Mercifulness (rachamim) is particularly associated with motherhood [email protected] be my people, and your God my God.” This issue of the JO contains (rechem, womb). Thus, when praying for the ill, the mother’s Hebrew Sales Executives ....................................................................................................................................Keren Green the fascinating stories of three people who chose to become Jewish. name, not the father’s, is used. Specially burdened, women are exempt [email protected] In 1978, the Federation board voted to support the creation of from time-dependent positive commandments. Over the ages, Jewish an “Anglo-Jewish newspaper in Syracuse.” Its purpose was to “help mothers have greatly earned and merited much gratitude. surface the potential of our community” through information, edu- The Jewish historical experience has been unique. Massively dis- Submissions: cation and entertainment. “In performing these basic functions,” the persed twice, scattered across the globe, with faith their only succor, Submit editorial stories, photos, and calendar items by the 1st of board stated, “the Jewish Observer adds a vital element of cohesion Jews have outlasted far stronger physical and spiritual enemies, over- the preceding month of issue to: [email protected]. to our community. It will give groups and organizations a better un- coming persecution and pogroms, confiscations and expulsions. Sad- To Advertise: derstanding of each other, and demonstrate how separate pieces fit ly today, far too many highly educated Jews are functionally Jewishly To advertise, call Cynthia Oppenheimer at 716-783-9119 x2240. illiterate. American Jewish success has led to attenuated connections together to form a larger picture.” Ad space & materials are due by the 16th of each month prior to Forty-two years later, the JO continues to help our community be to Jewish heritage. To assure a Jewish future, Jews must feel fully part publication. For a rate card and any additional information, please cohesive and understanding and supportive of one other. We are cur- of the Jewish people, emotionally engaged to their triumphs and email Cynthia Oppenheimer [email protected] or rently living in a completely unanticipated state, for which we were, tragedies, and conversant with Judaism’s theology, liturgy and history. Barbara Macks [email protected]. in most cases, unprepared – certainly on an emotional level. But as Jewry has survived solely due to those in successive generations over To Subscribe: Jews, we always strive to be positive, recalling the words from para- three and a half millennia who heeded Moses’s admonition in Shmot shat Nitzavim: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and to “make known to your children and children’s children, the day you To subscribe,